Another Prem, another Vivah

Move over, Salman Khan.
Sooraj Barjatya's found a new Prem in Shahid Kapoor, who stars opposite Amrita Rao in this Friday's release, Vivah.
Here are some images from the press conference.

The reclusive Barjatya shares a smile with his new hero.
Like all of his films from Maine Pyar Kiya to Hum Aapke Hain Koun, this one too features young love -- and a hero named Prem.

Shahid and Amrita are an oft-repeated pair, seen in Ishq Vishk, Vaah! Life Ho To Aisi and Shikhar before this.

Called Poonam in the film, Amrita can't stop raving about the film.
Let's wait and see. Vivah hits theatres on Friday, November 10.

'Vivah' - another take on marriage by Barjatya

New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) After two consecutive flops, director Sooraj R. Barjatya returns to the marquee this Friday with 'Vivah', another colourful entertainer about the sanctity of marital bonding.

There was a lull in the Barjatya camp post the phenomenal success of 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun...!' with 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' (1999) and 'Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon' (2003) bombing at the box office.

But Rajshri Productions are hoping to restore the fame and popularity of their banner with their latest offering that stars Shahid Kapur and Amrita Rao.

Touted as a heart-warming tale of unconditional love, the film revolves around Poonam (Amrita Rao), a middle class girl who lives in the small town of Madhupur with her uncle (Aloknath) and aunt (Seema Biswas).

Poonam's parents passed away when she was very young and since then her uncle has been looking after her. However, her aunt has never liked her.

Poonam grows up into a graceful and beautiful young woman and touches the heart of matchmaker Bhagatji (Manoj Joshi) with her simplicity and warmth.

Bhagatji is so impressed with Poonam that he takes her marriage proposal for Prem (Shahid Kapur), son of a Delhi-based businessman Harishchandra (Anupam Kher).

Prem, a soft-spoken boy rooted to the ground, is hesitant about getting married so early. However, respecting his father's wishes, he agrees to meet Poonam.

What follows is a meeting arranged by the two families and this formal meeting turns into an engagement. Prem and Poonam get engaged and it is decided that they will tie the knot after six months.

The six months become the most beautiful and romantic period of their lives. Coming from different sensibilities, both want their relationship to be very 'right' for each other.

After six months when everything is set for Prem and Poonam's wedding, something happens to put their love on trial.

Rajshri Productions has decided to release the film in only 200 screens nationwide and 100 prints in the overseas market because they feel that the film will gain popularity only by word of mouth.

This limited release strategy helped 'Hum Aapke Hai Koun...!', along very similar lines. One hopes they reap rich dividends this time too.

I am really looking 4ward 2 watch dis movie... I lub shaahid amrita pair... dey look awesome on screen...

From courtship to marriage Amrita Rao

Barjatya's Hum Apke Hai Kaun took the country by storm in the 90's with its glimpse into the Indian wedding and the larger than life social rituals and customs that are intertwined into relationships made during weddings. Vivah promises to keep with Barjatya's tradition of probing into the subtle nuances of a man-woman relationship with candour and delicacy.

Starring in the role of a lifetime is the effervescent and bubbly actress Amrita Rao opposite the chocolate boy Shahid Kapur. Rao steps into the character of a young woman entering the courtship phase leading into marriage.

Shaaditimes caught up with the star upon the eve of the release of Vivah.

On love, marriage and Mr. Right
"I certainly believe in the institution of marriage, and arranged marriages," says the breath-taking actress. Rao has appeared in over 60 ad campaigns and is hailed as the face that launched a million products. "In fact, I think love or arranged, traditional or modern whatever the type the same principles apply that one should know the boy and his family before entering into a marriage. I feel it's better to break of an engagement if you feel there is disagreement or discord rather than enter into a bad marriage," observes Amrita.

"In Vivah the concept of the engagement is explored as opposed to the marriage itself. Here the families get a chance to know one and other beforehand rather than complain after the marriage. And the individuals learn about one and other too. This is the best concept in my opinion both for 'reel life' and 'real life'," laughs Amrita.

Would this apply to her significant other off-screen at the moment? "No, I'm not seeing anyone at this moment, but if I was sure why not." She pauses, "I mean I haven't seen the future... if Mr. Right exists I feel he will find me and we both will find a way and our differences could be worked out."

"My Mr. Right would be someone that should know a woman," she avers. "He should have respect for the family first; He should be somebody that is not too demanding. He should love me more than anybody... more than A, B or C. More than me loving him. He should be a kind person, and the kind of person that has a sense of spirituality, and doesn't have a faade." She adds, "You can't have a faade for too long without being caught."

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Passion, perfect date, singing
"I think I see myself sitting with him at the park under a tree having a nice conversation. When Vivah was conceived Soorajji wanted to know what people do when they are courting. He noticed people spend a lot of time walking, sitting in nature or enjoying their city's architecture. Conversation travelled on topics such as family, future, money and commitment. I think celebrities are no different and have the same concerns as anyone else when it comes to their lives and relationships."

She continues, "I love to sing and my passion is humming tunes all day to different types of music. I would make him sing with me." After a moment she adds, "As funny as it sounds I love to watch movies despite being in the business. I think I would watch a lot of movies with my Mr. Right."

Parents
Amrita feels a lot of her commonsense has to be credited to her parents. In her opinion they are the unspoken conscience, an eponymous voice that has kept her grounded in celebritydom. "I have learned there has to be adjustment in life especially between work and in maintaining a relationship. Whether is permanent or not," she states.

"My Dad has taught me to do things myself and not be reliant on others. Whether is something as trivial as tidying up, or making a dish for dinner, to overseeing other more important responsibilities. My mother is a beautiful wife and mother. Not only has she tried her level best to give me anything I've always wanted, she has managed me as a teenager entering the industry with a tough and loving hand. She has taught me certain values, how to handle myself, and how to appreciate my opportunities."

This is the fourth time that you and Shahid (Kapur) have appeared as an onscreen couple. How does it feel?
I think this is the first time that I will be playing a complete love story alone with Shahid. The character, Poonam, in Vivah is a child-woman. In the past Shahid and I have played characters in a more comedic frame. This time the story follows the serious courtship and eventual love between two individuals. Obviously both Shahid and myself have changed from our first on-screen presence in Ishq Vishq where we were teenagers in love. We both have matured as individuals and as actors and I think you will see this in both our performances in Vivah. I think our compatibility is highlighted. We both surrendered to Soorajji and strived to attain the extreme subtlety and jhalak of love that we hope the camera has captured.

Is Vivah following the template of the Hum Apke Hain Kaun type romance story?
Yes and no. It truly has Soorajji's unique story-telling style, but while HAKHK was resplendent in showing relationships amidst the backdrop of grandeur and opulence of marriages, Vivah, is more simple and basic in that it actually follows the subtleties and innocence of a relationship from its time of inception to the complexities as it moves forward through the courtship. It shows the questions, problems, and emotions that arise as love starts and stirs.

Sooraj Barjatya's heroes are always named "Prem". How is Shahid's Prem different from his predecessors?
Shahid is the quintessential "Prem" every girl hopes to meet and fall in love with. He is swash buckling, sporty, handsome, and witty. And what makes Shahid's "Prem" that much more desirable is his innocence, which is backed by his honesty and purity of heart. This is a lot like Shahid off-screen I must say. Soorajjj's "Prem" stand apart from other characters as they are not perfect and have some sort of flaw.

I have known Shahid for four years and he has a tremendous sense of humour which adds the right amount of energy to the sets and the scenes. I remember even if Soorajji said there was no time to have fun, Shahid, would find a way to inculcate a sense of fun and laughter even at lunchtime to make the mood a little lighter.

Dress sense on and off celluloid?
There is a nice Indian touch to the character of Poonam who comes from a small village in Madhupur. Designer Anna Singh has done a wonderful job playing with texture, colour in creating a rustic yet dignified look. Poonam loves long kurtas, and churidars, salwars, and saris. Amrita feels most comfortable in jeans. "I love my jeans and t-shirts," she says and clarifies, "The sari is the most elegant outfit in the world, but it may not be the most practical for a working woman today." So what will she be wearing to the Premiere of Vivah? "Maybe a sari as I am playing Poonam in the film."

On being compared to Madhubala and Madhuri Dixit?
They have been perfect faces for the Hindi screen. Perfect in playing the girl, to home-maker to mother. When I am compared I can only laugh. And thank people for comparing me with the greats of Indian cinema. They are legends and I have a long way to go.

Thanks!! I really want to see this film!! It looks good, and I think Shahid and Amrita look great together!!

I'm really looking forward to seeing the film! 😳